Snails in Elder Scrolls: Arena (Part 2)

[ghostdog]

YEEEEE!!!

 

[Sceptic]

Sceptic, since I didn't play all of Arena, did it also have sudden unexpected teleportations like Daggerfall?

I don't think it did, but it wouldn't matter because the dungeon maps are all 2D, so figuring out where you are is pretty easy. The reason I find Arena harder, specifically with a non-spellcaster, is that once you get to the Ice Fortress or so, monsters take a decided turn for the nasty. Most can cast spells, some can see through invisibility, they move fast, they dish out a lot of damage very quickly... just getting across the room to the enemies will force you to chug down potions by the dozens. With a spellcaster, you just cast one of the custom spells to make yourself invincible (depending on what type of damage you're trying to protect against) and you're good to go. Then you spam one of your custom instant-death spells. The difference in difficulty is just incredible.

 

[mister_matt]

I just used the installer from here and had sound.

Oh this makes me very very happy. Great find!

Tried the CD version with one of the 0.7 versions and it worked fine, with sound and all. I think setting core manually to dynamic helps with the general frame rate (IIRC DOSBox cannot set it properly if it's on auto) but all else worked great out of the box.

I ran the game with the default DOSbox settings - and it would just be a black screen after the blue dead lady was talking to you. This was the CD version of the game that I think you can get by following links from abandonia. Looking through DOSbox forums I think there was a fix that had something to do with creating a CD label when mounting a disk or something - but no one gives a shit about these solutions unless they have a problem . Anyway bros, Rohit_N's link worked great for me on Windows 7 64 bit. Meaning, I can play Arena with sound. The Bethesda installers for Daggerfall, and probably Arena too don't support 64bit systems. (Obviously we play in DOSbox, but there are intermediary steps to setting things up that I wasn't able to get to work.) It seems the site Rohit linked to has both Arena and Daggerfall installers.

 

[Elzair]

I just used the installer from here and had sound.

Oh this makes me very very happy. Great find!

Tried the CD version with one of the 0.7 versions and it worked fine, with sound and all. I think setting core manually to dynamic helps with the general frame rate (IIRC DOSBox cannot set it properly if it's on auto) but all else worked great out of the box.

I ran the game with the default DOSbox settings - and it would just be a black screen after the blue dead lady was talking to you. This was the CD version of the game that I think you can get by following links from abandonia. Looking through DOSbox forums I think there was a fix that had something to do with creating a CD label when mounting a disk or something - but no one gives a shit about these solutions unless they have a problem . Anyway bros, Rohit_N's link worked great for me on Windows 7 64 bit. Meaning, I can play Arena with sound. The Bethesda installers for Daggerfall, and probably Arena too don't support 64bit systems. (Obviously we play in DOSbox, but there are intermediary steps to setting things up that I wasn't able to get to work.) It seems the site Rohit linked to has both Arena and Daggerfall installers.

That is weird that you are having sound and installation problems. I downloaded this zip file from Bethesda, opened it, ran Arena106.exe, extracted the files to C:\Temp, and moved the resulting ARENA folder to my DOSBox games directory. The self-extracting executable worked fine on Windows 7 64-bit.

Are you starting the program by calling A.EXE or ARENA.BAT? For me, the sound only works if I run ARENA.BAT.

I got it to run more smoothly by changing the line

cycles=auto

to this

cycles=30000

under the heading [cpu] in my Dosbox.conf file.

 

[mister_matt]

I was probably using A.EXE. I would certainly chalk it up to me being an idiot and not using DOSbox properly.

Anyhoo, I got to playing the game as a spellsword because I thought that would be fun - and I found a great way to cheat the game already and farm experience killing humanoids in the sewers. "What?" you ask? Yes - in the sewers. You get humanoid encounters when you rest on the floor, and not on the niches. What I did was, first find a dead end room that is somewhat large, prime my flame spell, and rest for 4 hours. If an enemy comes you just click on them once and then slash a couple times and they go down usually pretty quick like that - just save beforehand of course. I've picked up leather armor and a nice bunch of experience so far. Good stuff. You can continue to do this, and the continuous resting will probably put back whatever spell points you used killing stuff.

 

[SCO]

Sceptic, since I didn't play all of Arena, did it also have sudden unexpected teleportations like Daggerfall?

I don't think it did, but it wouldn't matter because the dungeon maps are all 2D, so figuring out where you are is pretty easy. The reason I find Arena harder, specifically with a non-spellcaster, is that once you get to the Ice Fortress or so, monsters take a decided turn for the nasty. Most can cast spells, some can see through invisibility, they move fast, they dish out a lot of damage very quickly... just getting across the room to the enemies will force you to chug down potions by the dozens. With a spellcaster, you just cast one of the custom spells to make yourself invincible (depending on what type of damage you're trying to protect against) and you're good to go. Then you spam one of your custom instant-death spells. The difference in difficulty is just incredible.

 

[oldmanpaco]

I finished this with a Spellsword. Good times.

 

[Sceptic]

I ran the game with the default DOSbox settings

My suggestion whenever I see this is "never do that". Take the time to learn what the DOSBox settings mean (the dosbox wiki has a nice explanation for every single option in the conf file). It's not hard, and it's worth it. Then edit the conf file to your taste, and suddenly you stop having problems, and even when you do, since you know what each option does you can easily fix it. My other suggestion is: never use the official DOSBox release. Get one of the custom-modded SVN's (I use Taewoong's awesome one), which will also have some of the defaults at much more sensible settings.

Looking through DOSbox forums I think there was a fix that had something to do with creating a CD label when mounting a disk or something

Again never had to do anything this complicated. But then I never mount images in DOSBox - I mount them in Daemontools, then just mount the virtual drive as a CD drive in DOSBox. Always worked like a charm.

The Bethesda installers for Daggerfall, and probably Arena too don't support 64bit systems.

I never used theirs (or any) installers, but that's another great advantage of doing everything yourself in DOSBox off a CD image: the installers are all DOS, and so you never bother with this kind of shit. The only one that may be problematic is Redguard, because I don't remember if its Windows installer works on 64-bit OS.

 

[mister_matt]

The only one that may be problematic is Redguard, because I don't remember if its Windows installer works on 64-bit OS.

Yeah I was interested in trying that one out actually. From what I have read, it seems like an interesting game. I'd want to get a copy with all the original extras though. I believe a boxed copy includes a paper map (why don't they do this anymore??) as well as a 30 page comic. I don't expect that the installer will function at all.

This page at the Elder Scrolls wiki says that you can manually extract the needed files from the CDs easily enough. However, THIS page, says that the game has a sort of unavoidable crashing problem in a certain spot:

IMPORTANT: While it is possible to run Redguard under DosBox more or less if you play with the configurations long enough, the game will crash for sure if you enter Clavicus Vile's realm. This crash is caused by the core DosBox is emulating. None of the various emulated core-types can prevent this (verified for DosBox v0.73 and 0.74). At the latest at this point you won't be able to proceed with the game. If you don't have access to a true DOS or Windows 95/98 machine there is nothing you can do about this.

The second link also has install instructions for Arena/Daggerfall.

 

[SCO]

It should be reported to the dosbox devs then.

FFS.

 

[Elzair]

Wow! This game really is hard! Stonekeep is kicking my ass!

 

[Sceptic]

Yeah I was interested in trying that one out actually. From what I have read, it seems like an interesting game.

It's an action-adventure, which is as far from TES as you can expect. However, it's actually a pretty good action-adventure with quite a bit of TES lore, small-scale exploration, and it's pretty fun.

I'd want to get a copy with all the original extras though. I believe a boxed copy includes a paper map (why don't they do this anymore??) as well as a 30 page comic.

And the Pocket Guide to the Empire, which was the document that pretty much set Tamriel lore (and established TES as the gameworld where everyone lies), not to mention being quite funny. At least until Oblivion and its PG came.

I don't expect that the installer will function at all.

It works flawlessly under XP, and if it's a 32-bit installer it'll work under 7.

IMPORTANT: While it is possible to run Redguard under DosBox more or less if you play with the configurations long enough, the game will crash for sure if you enter Clavicus Vile's realm. This crash is caused by the core DosBox is emulating. None of the various emulated core-types can prevent this (verified for DosBox v0.73 and 0.74). At the latest at this point you won't be able to proceed with the game. If you don't have access to a true DOS or Windows 95/98 machine there is nothing you can do about this.

Lies. I started and finished the game on DOSBox (one of the 0.7's I think) and the game did NOT crash in CV's realm. I don't know what settings (both for DOSBox and the game) they were using, but it's definitely not a "for sure". Then again I was running it in 3dfx mode, don't know if this has something to do with it (but then... why wouldn't you run it in 3dfx mode?)

Also, there's very little play you need to do with configuration. In fact I don't think I had to change anything from my usual config...

In any case, if you do run it in Glide mode, don't get too enthusiastic and run the game at 1024x768. While it'll run fine at 1280x1024 if you have a powerful system, lots of static shots (like loading screen) will not load at the latter res and you'll be staring at a black screen instead (though this doesn't crash or freeze the game)

Wow! This game really is hard! Stonekeep is kicking my ass!

Told ya

Wait t'il you get to Labyrinthian

 

[Luzur]

PassWall, did ya get it?!

 

[Elzair]

One down
Sixteen to go

Invisibility is very useful for retrieving parchment out from under the noses of ghouls.

 

[Elzair]

By the way, are there any good methods for dealing with ghouls (and spiders)?

 

[Wyrmlord]

How long is this game anyway? 30+ hours? 40+?

 

[Elzair]

How long is this game anyway? 30+ hours? 40+?

No idea. I have not beaten it yet, but 30-50 hours seems right. Considering it's a sandbox, I guess the right answer is as long as you want to spend with it.

 

[Sceptic]

One down
Sixteen to go

You could make yourself feel a little better and say two down, if you count the sewers.

Invisibility is very useful for retrieving parchment out from under the noses of ghouls.

Yeah keep telling yourself this. Let's see this smug being wiped off by wraiths

 

[Elzair]

One down
Sixteen to go

You could make yourself feel a little better and say two down, if you count the sewers.

Invisibility is very useful for retrieving parchment out from under the noses of ghouls.

Yeah keep telling yourself this. Let's see this smug being wiped off by wraiths

Well, there is always Designate Non-Target

 

[Elzair]

I should mentione that I found the first piece of the Staff of Chaos. I should post an update tomorrow.

 

[Hellraiser]

I should mentione that I found the first piece of the Staff of Chaos. I should post an update tomorrow.

Chaos consume us!

 

[Sceptic]

I should mentione that I found the first piece of the Staff of Chaos. I should post an update tomorrow.

Three down, fifteen to go!

BTW, did you notice how Stonekeep trolls you? It's a HUGE dungeon... and the map you need is a couple of rooms from the exit. Chances are, however, that you'll explore the huge central area beforehand. I raged quite a bit at the time.

 

[Elzair]

BTW, did you notice how Stonekeep trolls you? It's a HUGE dungeon... and the map you need is a couple of rooms from the exit. Chances are, however, that you'll explore the huge central area beforehand. I raged quite a bit at the time.

Yes I did, and that was fucking bull shit!

 

[Sceptic]

Speaking of which, wasn't an update due 3 days ago?

 

[Elzair]

Part 2: I Do Sum Shit Fer Money

Let's Play Arena: The Further Adventures of Snails!

Part 2: I Do Sum Shit Fer Money

Where de fuck were you?

Sorry, Snails. I had a week to study for the GRE.

YEEEEEEEE!!!!

Anyways, where de fuck are we?!

Let's ask this guy right here.

Who are you?

Where's de nearest inn? I gotsa sleep off my latest experience.

Aight, d'ya know where Fang Lair at?

So we must not be in Hammerfell, then.

I am telling you, Snails, We are in Hammerfell. The walking search engines NPCs have just not been properly debugged.

YEEEEEEE!!!

Fine, what're de latest rumors?

General, if'n you please.

Fine, anyone got any jobs t'do?

Aight. Let's pull out de map!

Some helpful NPC has already marked it's location for you.

Dat's sure nice o'dem!

Eeeeeeyy, Mama! Wut you doin' out here past yo bedtime?

I don't neither. Dis bitch be too talkative.

Why do I start out staring at the wall?

Since the world is randomly generated, the interior of many buildings do not match the exterior.

YEEEEEE!!

Fuck you too!

I's doing dat as well.

Sure. Anything fer some gold!

Hey baby, you must be the strong and silent type.

Let's go somewhere and get nasty . . .

Damn, I needed dat! Now, let's get you where you're goin'.

Snails asks for directions.

Finally, someone inscribes it on his map.

Here we are!

Dis
game seems t'have messages fer everything!

Finally! Let's offload some o' dis junk!

How 'bout dis?

C'mon! It's at least worth 650!

Deal.

We're in the money, Mr. Snails. We're in the money.

You got dat right! Let's see if I can't earn some more.

Aight. Let's go dere.

I can do dat.

Snails heads back to the White Gull with the object.

Let's see if dere's more work t'be done.

Is dat all dere is t'do? Escortin' bitches and retrievin' shit?

Pretty much (at least at your level).

Man, fuck dat!

Alright, let's see if we can get you some new duds.

Alright!

Now let's see if I can steal some shit . . .

YEEEEEEEE!!!!

Maybe I can do jest one more job.

Wut de fuck is dat?

A statue.

Dat be a freaky lookin' statue!

Waitaminute! I'm a mage dis time, right?

You're a nightblade. Nightblades can cast magic, yes.

Den let's head over t'de Mage's Guild!

First I want t'see what all dis shit I'm carryin is!

We don't have the money for taht!

Sure we do!

I get everything identified and then reload. :snicker:

Here is the first spell I buy. It should help me steal.

Let's try it out.

Nice!

Here is the second spell. It should help protect me from damage.

Let's see if sum king or sum shit needs a job done!

Alright.

Is dat a merchant?

Nope! It's just a plain ol' NPC.

Dat's weird!

Here is the gateway to the palace.

'Kay.

This is the ruler of Hegathe.

Yo, white bitch! You gotta job needs doin'?

Damn! Now I'm pissed!

Would playing around with the magic system make you feel better?

Yessuh.

Here are two spells that, while largely useless alone, when combined do something . . . interesting.

We have to try this spell outside city limits.

Aight. Let's leave dis damn fool city behind!

Let's wander off into the wild, randomly-generated yonder!

Let's see where this road leads.

Anything in dere?

Nope, just scenery.

YEEEEEE!!!!

Have we found another city already?

Nope, just an inn.

Good, cuz I got's t'have me some beauty rest.

Later

Aight, now that I'm refreshed, wut do I do?

Cast Destroy Floor.

Okay. Now what?

Camp for several hours to regain enough mana.

'Kay.

Then cast Create Wall on the same space.

Wut
de fuck is dis?!

Surprise! You have created your very own dungeon. It's terrain should resemble the surrounding areas. However, it will disappear once you leave it or leave the area in which it was created.

'kay.

This sellsword tries to attack me. I waste his ass.

Least he got shit on him.

Aight. I'm done here. Let's find someplace else ta loot.

I wonder what dis be?

It's a temple, of course.

I then come upon a field next to a tower.

Lemme guess, it's a dungeon?

Correct!

YEEEEEE!!!!

These guys look mean, but they are not too tough.

Aight, I've had it with dungeons fer now!

Alright, let's fast travel to Hegathe and see if we can get a lead on where Fang Lair is.

I guess we go there.

This may take a while.

Tune in next time where Snails crawls through more dungeons!

YEEEEEE!!!